Download COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO Mountain Defensible Space Guidelines

• Remove dead vegetation and small dead trees up to 15 feet in height. Taller trees should be removed by a professional.
• Trim branches (live and dead)
  • For trees taller than 15 feet, remove lower branches to a height of 6 to 8 feet from the ground.
  • For trees less than 15 feet tall, remove live and dead branches within 3 to 4 feet of the ground.
  • Remove tree branches within 10 feet of a chimney opening.
  • Remove all dead branches that overhang a structure.
  • Remove any live tree branches that are over hanging a structure and are vertically within 10 feet of any portion of the roof line.
• Prune and thin overgrown shrubs.
  • Remove all dead branches in shrubs.  See also the city of Big Bear Lake's "Native Brush and Shrub Ordinance.
  • Selectively thin live foliage.
• Remove accumulated pine needles
  • Remove pine needles and leaves in excess of 2 inches throughout the property.
  • Remove pine needles from roofs.
  • Cut grass and weeds greater than four inches tall.
  • Remove pine needles and leaves within 5 feet of any portion of a structure.
• Selectively thin your native trees less than 6 inches in diameter.
  • Thin small dense native trees less than 6 inches in diameter which are within 8 feet of a larger native tree or other small trees.  For conformance with "Defensible Space Guidelines" under Public Resources Code 4291 the size of trees in the distance separation between trees may be more.  Check with your local Fire Department.
  • Selectively thin trees that are deformed, trees that are crooked, have damaged bark, dead tops or show evidence of disease or insect infestation.
  • Select trees that have grown next to buildings and or pavement.
  • Select trees that are under power lines or along fences.

Big Bear Valley Fire Agencies at 909-866-4668